Business and Peace

Companies have an interest in peace and stability. Lack of a predictable political and economic framework and increased violence disrupts production and supply lines, increases operating costs and delays completion of planned business activities. For companies of all sizes, being operational in "conflict-prone", "weak" or "post-conflict" countries poses a number of dilemmas for which there are no easy answers. The UN Global Compact provides a dynamic forum where all stakeholders in society can come together to enhance the capacity of companies to make a positive contribution to peace and development.

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New Publication: "Peace through Commerce - Responsible Corporate Citizenship and the Ideals of the United Nations Global Compact (2008)" edited by Oliver F. Williams. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press. More information on this publication is available here.

Global Compact Local Network in Sudan: On 1 December 2008, a Global Compact Local Network will be launched in Khartoum. Global Compact participants with operations in the country are encouraged to attend.

The Global Compact, International Alert, and the Kogod School of Business surveyed GC participants on the Role of Business in Conflict Prevention and Peace-building to assess what strategies, if any, they have implemented to address risks. The survey questions are available for download. P articipants have a strong interest in tools and good practices demonstrating how the private sector can contribute to development and peace in difficult operating environments. To respond to this need, the Global Compact Office is developing two "good practice" guides to be published in 2009 and we are inviting Global Compact participating companies to submit examples to be considered.

On 26-28 June in Mumbai, India the Global Compact and Strategic Foresight Group co-hosted an international event on " Responsibility to the Future: Business, Peace, Sustainability". The President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Patil provided the inaugural address, Dr. Supachai, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, attended as the Guest of Honour, and Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of Anglo American co-chaired the event. The forum provided a platform for multistakeholder dialogue and the launch of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable business practices that contribute to development and peace. The conference agenda and a conference report are now available. Please contact info@strategicforesight.com for more information about the final conference report.

Meetings and Workshops

17 January 2007	New York. Informal Consultation with the Institutional Investor & Business Communities: Responsible Investment in Weak or Conflict-Prone States
17 May 2006	Khartoum, Sudan. Public-Private Partnerships in Post-Conflict Societies
14 December 2004	New York. Symposium : Strengthening Conflict-Sensitive Business Practices in Vulnerable & Conflict-Affected States
13 December 2004	New York. Expert Workshop #2: Identifying Public Policy Options to Promote Conflict-Sensitive Business Practices
7 - 8 October 2004	New York. Expert Workshop #1: Identlfying Public Policy Options to Promote Conflict-Sensitive Business Practices
27 - 28 May 2004	Bogota, Colombia. Policy Dialogue The Role of the Private Sector
13 - 14 November 2003	Almaty, Kazakhstan. Central Asia Workshop
18 - 19 November 2002	Johannesburg. Africa Workshop:The Role of the Private Sector in Zones of Conflict
17 - 18 April 2002	New York
27 - 28 September 2001	Geneva
21 - 22 March 2001	New York

Contact

Melissa Powell
powell1@un.org

(Last update 7 November 2008)